Here Is Why F1 Drivers Are Weighed

Here Is Why F1 Drivers Are Weighed

Have you seen the results of an F1 race and witnessed all the drivers lining up at the scales after the race? It’s not an act to show interest but is necessary for various reasons.

F1 drivers are measured after every race to fulfill two purposes. The first reason is to determine the weight they lost during the race. The second step is to ensure their cars and drivers do not exceed the weight required by the rules.

This article will explain why F1 cars and drivers are weighted after every race. We will also look at the importance of weight in F1, the weight limits in F1, the weight average of drivers, and the many pounds a driver could lose in a single race. Therefore, continue reading to learn more about everything you need to know about the weight of drivers in F1. It’s not necessary to weigh to understand the weight of a driver, So let’s get the pedal on the gas.

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Why Are F1 Drivers Weighed?

F1 drivers are assessed to determine medical and technical reasons. These are described below.

Medical Reasons: It is essential to be aware of the exact amount of weight a racer has lost after the race to ensure appropriate actions can be taken following the race. It is common for drivers to lose 4 and 5kg in a race, and we’ll discuss this in greater detail later in this article.

It’s a lot of weight loss in just two hours, and most of it results from sweat. So, medical and physical training personnel should be aware to assist drivers in picking the weight back up.

It is also crucial to determine the weight of a driver because if they’ve lost more weight than normal during a race, the next training session week must consider this and may be less in intensity.

Technical Reasons: F1 cars with the driver inside must weigh 764 kg (1684 lbs). Drivers and cars are weighed following the race to ensure they do not drop below the weight limit in the course. F1 cars have become heavier in recent times, mostly because of improvements in safety equipment. Therefore, it’s important to ensure teams do not skimp on vital safety features to make their cars lighter.

Drivers are weighed separately from their cars since they can be weighed faster than the car’s weight. This means that they can swiftly begin the celebrations after races, interviews, and other obligations.

Does Weight Matter in F1?

Weight is one of the most crucial aspects of F1, and the connection between speed and weight is pretty straightforward. Consider if you need to run 100 meters on the track. If you’re running with a backpack filled with bricks, you’ll be significantly slower than if you were running the same distance with a backpack full of bricks.

With F1, It is the same concept. The heavier the car is and the heavier it is, the more the engine can push ahead. It is crucial to minimize any extra weight on the vehicle, which can affect the car’s lap time. In a competition such as F1, where drivers could be separated by just a few milliseconds, it’s crucial to ensure the car’s speed is as high as possible.

However, the weight of the driver (within reason) doesn’t matter anymore due to the new regulations that will be put into place in the year 2019. Learn more about these regulations and how they can benefit the sport.

What Are The Rules Regarding Driver Weight In F1?

Following the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which manages Formula 1 and creates the sport’s rules, the minimum weight for both the seat and driver is (176lbs). If a driver weighs less than that weight, ballasts must be added onto the cockpit to raise the weight to 80kg.

This law was introduced in 2019 to lessen the drawbacks of having large, heavy drivers. Before the regulations were implemented, having a smaller driver with a lightweight was the greatest benefit.

For instance, Alpha Tauri’s new driver in 2021, Yuki Tsunoda, only weighs in at 54kg (119 lbs), and Kimi Raikkonen is around 70kg (154 lbs). The difference in weight is more than fifteen kilograms (33 lbs).

The past could be a huge benefit for Alpha Tauri because its motor is smaller and, therefore, lighter. But the new rules clarify that this won’t be an issue and makes the playing field.

This change in the rules was particularly crucial for larger drivers who needed to eat much less to keep a competitor’s weight. Ultimately, they were not physically healthy because they were not eating enough.

In addition, several drivers have come out in support of the new regulations because they can no longer reduce their weight as they used to. Valtteri Bottas, a Mercedes driver, said, “I think the regulation is great, especially for taller drivers. It makes life more manageable.” He further stated, “Many drivers had to be at or below their natural weight, and it’s extremely easy to fall sick or get sick. It’s the first time in many years when I haven’t had any illness or flu. .”

Average Weight Of Formula 1 Driver

The weight stats of the majority of Formula 1 drivers are not publically accessible. This year, drivers from F2 have accurate weight statistics since their weights are available via the F2 website. However, their weight for F1 drivers is not available on the F1 website, and therefore the publically available figures are only sometimes 100% reliable.

The lightest driver on the road in 2021 is probably Yuki Tsunoda, who weighs 54kg. The most hefty driver is believed to be Lewis Hamilton, who is 73kg. Most F1 drivers weigh between 65-70kg (143-154lbs). However, some of the smaller drivers weigh a little less.

But, drivers must stay within that weight because when you add the race suit (which is very heavy because it’s fireproof) and the helmet (about 1.2kg) along with the seats, drivers do not need to be weighing more than 80kg. It is, therefore, crucial to keep drivers’ weight below 75-76kg to avoid adding unnecessary weight.

How Much Weight Do F1 Drivers Lose During A Race?

Formula 1 is a physically demanding sport for drivers. Due to the extreme forces that the drivers endure when racing, the strain on the body is immense. Like any other sport requiring extreme physical effort, racers sweat a lot.

In contrast to other sports in which athletes wear shorts and a T-shirt made of lightweight materials, F1 drivers wear thick, heavy race suits that are fireproof and helmets. The race suits weigh at least 1kg. Drivers also wear undershirts, underwear, and balaclava from the same fireproof material. To this, temperatures inside the driver’s seat in the F1 car can exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122degF).

This shows how hot and exhausting it can be for drivers during an F1 race. In the end, drivers usually lose between 2 and 3kg in each race. It can go up to 4kg when conditions are hotter, for instance, in race events in Singapore and Malaysia. This is because the outside temperature is higher than in other places, so the cockpit temperature increases.

Conclusion

The weight of a car is crucial in F1. Weight can slow the car. However, the wrong amount of weight could affect the driver’s safety. It is essential to find the perfect proportion between speed and the safety features required to safeguard drivers.

It is vital to observe these rules, which is why F1 drivers and vehicles are tested after every race.